Top AMA Pro Racing Flat Track riders from across the country including Henry Wiles, Joe Kopp, Jake Johnson, Kenny Coolbeth and the legendary Chris Carr will battle for the first time on the historic grounds of the "World Center of Racing."

"Daytona, it's the ‘World Center Of Racing,' " said Carr, a seven-time AMA Pro Grand National Champion. "We all know that and to be able to be a part (of that) and race the Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway is one step in our evolution to bring our sport to a more prominent area."

The Flat Track events have been staged in Daytona Beach for more than 30 years. It was first held at Memorial Stadium, which was located near Daytona State College. In the late 1980s, the event moved to the newly constructed Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.

Last fall, field turf was installed at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium and Daytona International Speedway constructed a new quarter-mile dirt track that is located just outside Turns 1 and 2 that now serves as the new home to the Flat Track events.

The quarter-mile track, which saw its first action in late December with karts from the World Karting Association, is layered with the same lime rock that was utilized at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium and lighting will be provided by Musco Lighting.

The Daytona Flat Track has a history of producing two of the most difficult nationals of the year.

Carr, who has competed at both the old Memorial Stadium and Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, is looking forward to the atmosphere that the event will provide for the fans.

"I think it's going to be a bit more of an open environment," said Carr. "It won't be as noisy as before because you don't have concrete walls all the way around it. The ambiance is going to be totally different and radical than being at the stadium. Having Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway is probably one of the biggest things we've had in a longtime for Flat Track."

Three-time AMA Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth agreed that riders on the new Daytona Flat Track will create a competitive atmosphere that fans won't want to miss.

"It should be pretty cool for spectators," said Coolbeth. "It's a fresh track and an even playing field. I think it's going to be better for what we (as a sport) need."

Tickets for each night of Daytona Flat Track racing are $25 for reserved seats, $20 for general admission standing room only and can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.